Diaspora News of Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Source: Ghana Palaver

Jonah to Lose All Property

Apart from the 20-year prison sentence imposed on Andrew Jonah, son of Sir Sam Jonah, for drug trafficking, he is also to vomit an amount of over one million dollars. According to the judgement in the case against Andrew and eight others, the U.S court said the amount of $1.3million is equal to proceeds the accused obtained directly or indirectly from violations of U.S drug laws.

In addition, Andrew is to lose all his properties, including a condominium (a block of flats) located in Atlanta and Georgia. Andrew is also to lose his cars, assorted diamonds, computers and pistols. The properties are to be auctioned. Meanwhile, any third person, who might have an interest in any of the properties must file his or her claim within 21 days, after the judgement, for his case to be examined by a jury.

The judgement, given by a British Court in the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, is to be filed in the highest court of the state.“The United States shall have a clear titile to the properties, following the court’s disposition of all third party interests, or, if none, the court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the order”, the ruling said. Andrew Jonah, whose father was once a mining magnate was jailed last March 19 by the America court on ten counts of drug trafficking.